August 21 — 21st SOTC: What is salvation?

A drowning boy was struggling in a lake while his mom, who couldn’t swim, and a stranger were watching from the shore.  Again and again the helpless woman pleadedwith the man to save her son, but he said and did nothing.  Soon the desperate strugg-ling of the boy began to lessen; he was losing strength.  He rose to the surface helpless and weak.  Immediately the man jumped into the water and brought the boy safely to shore.  The now grateful woman asked, “Why didn’t you save my son sooner.”  The hero answered, “I couldn’t as long as he struggled.  He could have drown us both.  But when he ceased struggling, it was easy for me to save him.”

​In answer to the question, “Lord, are they few in number who can be saved?” this story suggests an answer -- “That depends on whether or not they stop struggling.”  For truly we all know people who seem determined not to allow God to make a difference in their lives.  Today’s gospel presents an opportunity to reflect on four important truths about salvation.

♦ First, we are save FROM something.  st 

o from ignorance of what God wants and expects of us.

o from our sins and the power of sin in our lives;

o from the power of death so that death becomes a new beginning.

♦ Second, we are saved FOR something:

o for a relationship with God who loves and saves us;

o for a life of discipleship in love and service of our saving God.

o for the chance to become and be the saint God wants us to be,.

♦ Third, salvation is something GOD does for us.  Many Christians believe that salvation somehow depends on us.  In only one way is this true.  We believe that salvation is/

o a gift freely given & freely accepted.   We have to accept the gift.

o a life-long process.  Yes, there are usually special moments.  But God wants to keep on sharing his life and love with us.

♦ Finally, and this is the scary part, some people who think they ARE saved, are NOT saved.  

o A preacher once said “Just going to church doesn’t make a person a Christian any more than going into a chicken house… chicken.”

o Only people who live their faith & put God first are truly saved.

​“Lord, are they few in number who can be saved?”  The Good News is that God wants to save every person from ignorance and death for a life of faith, love and discipleship.  We just have to stop struggling.